All of the activities you mentioned can help narrow down your research topic, but they serve slightly different purposes. Here’s how each one contributes:
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Write down a list of keywords: This helps you focus on the main concepts of your topic and can guide your research by identifying the most relevant terms.
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Search for the topic in a database: Conducting initial searches in databases can reveal how much information is available on your topic and may point you toward more specific subtopics or angles to consider.
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Use Boolean search strategies: Using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) can refine your search results, helping you narrow down to more specific articles or resources that match your interest.
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Develop questions about the topic: This activity encourages critical thinking and can help you identify specific aspects of a broader topic that you are interested in exploring further.
In summary, all these activities are useful for narrowing down a research topic, with each approach providing a different way to focus your research.